Exploring Gender Identity

Transgender Day of Remembrance

by Sequoia Elisabeth on November 19, 2010

Have you ever considered why this day of remembrance is important? How about the advocacy work that so many organizations do? Does it work and why does it work? I mean what makes advocacy work! I remember being distressed by the thought of everyone gathering around and sharing victim stories and it was almost like death was a success. And indeed it is a success for ego mind, but that is another story.

Today I would like to shine the light on why it is important to remember events of the past and to honor those who have gone before you. The obvious answer that I have heard many times, “learn from your past or you are doomed to repeat the mistakes”, falls short. The other answer that these individuals are important as human beings and kindred family is indeed one of the reasons, but to me not the most important.

The real gift here is that injustice is brought to light. Awareness is raised in the minds of all people and they see that violence is destructive and unjust. Transgender Day of Remembrance brings our community to the main stream consciousness in a cry for equal rights. It is a statement that we are people too and deserve to be treated as well any other person. The fact that often gets lost in communities is we are all humans and a part of the whole of life; it is not us against them! Let me emphasis this point. It is never about US vs. THEM in any situation. When this perspective is taken it becomes a losing proposition. One if not both parties loose. The Equal Rights movement is about equal rights for everyone. No one person is better than any other or more deserving or less deserving of common basic human needs such as personal security, love, self esteem, personal fulfillment, cultural security, and participation, plus a right to life, liberty, freedom of thought, expression and identity, and equal treatment before the law. Let us focus on the things we all desire.

In the end what makes advocacy work is the Universal Law of Attraction among other laws. What you focus on grows. Or to say that another way, the energy of attention is a funnel that sends this power where ever it is pointed. If you are focusing on the things that are wrong or broken or painful then you get more of them. However if you are focusing on what is working, how systems are supporting you and what you like about a certain person, place or thing then you will get more of that! This seems simplistic I know and there are details if you wish to know more. This works, I am a living testament to it and actually so are you!

Take advantage of this Day of Remembrance to focus on what you loved about that person who has lost or taken their life. Focus on the laws that have been passed recently which raise awareness to what is acceptable and what is not. Share your dream of the world you wish to live in! It is important to be heard, we all deserve this so listen to others and treat them the way you wish to be treated. There are no victims only volunteers, thus I honor all the beautiful people who have volunteered to be symbols of change and to shine the light on a community’s needs.